The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

leave that kingdom, like poisoned meat, where one sees
Brahmanas obliged to betake themselves to unholy practices,
being tortured by want of the means of life.
With a contented heart and deeming all his wishes
as already gratified a righteous man should dwell in
that country whose inhabitants cheerfully give away
before even they are solicited. One should live
and move about, among good men devoted to acts of
righteousness, in that country where chastisement falleth
upon those that are wicked and where respect and good
offices are the portion of those that are of subdued
and cleansed souls. One should unhesitatingly
dwell in that country whose king is devoted to virtue
and which the king rules virtuously, casting off desires
and possessed of prosperity, and where severe chastisement
is dealt to those that visit self-controlled men with
the consequences of their wrath, those that act wickedly
towards the righteous, those that are given to acts
of violence, and those that are covetous.[1476] Kings
endued with such a disposition bring about prosperity
to those that dwell in their kingdoms when prosperity
is on the point of leaving them.[1477] I have thus
told thee, O son, in answer to thy enquiry, what is
beneficial or excellent. No one can describe,
in consequence of its exceedingly high character,
what is beneficial or excellent for the Soul.[1478]
Many and high will the excellences be, through the
observance of the duties laid down for him, of the
man who for earning his livelihood during the time
of his sojourn here conducts himself in the way indicated
above and who devotes his soul to the good of all
creatures.’"[1479]

SECTION CCLXXXIX

“Yudhishthira said, ’How, O grandsire,
should a king like us behave in this world, keeping
in view the great object of acquisition? What
attributes, again, should he always possess so that
he may be freed from attachments?’

“Bhishma said, ’I shall in this connection
recite to thee the old narrative that was uttered
by Arishtanemi unto Sagara who had sought his counsel.’

“Sagara said, ’What is that good, O Brahmana,
by doing which one may enjoy felicity here? How,
indeed, may one avoid grief and agitation? I
wish to know all this!’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus addressed by
Sagara, Arishtanemi of Tarkshya’s race, conversant
with all the scriptures, regarding the questioner to
be every way deserving of his instructions, said these
words,[1480] ’The felicity of Emancipation is
true felicity in the world. The man of ignorance
knows it not, attached as he is to children and animals
and possessed of wealth and corn. An understanding
that is attached to worldly objects and a mind suffering
from thirst,—­these two baffle all skilful
treatment. The ignorant man who is bound in the
chains of affection is incapable of acquiring Emancipation.[1481]
I shall presently speak to thee of all the bonds that
spring from the affections. Hear them with attention.